Profile - Not sure if this is the right thing to do

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Permalink Reply by John Cerbone - The Trance-Master on May 21, 2010 at 8:40am

There is an extension of Google called Google Trends. It's amazing how articles mentioning us are on there, say from school newspapers where we have done shows in past years or other articles from that past, and like so much of the internet, those articles seems to stay up forever and ever.
So many other articles about other Hypnotists on the news around the world, etc.
There are in fact posting from here on there as well. I have about 25 years of work behind me, more if you count unofficially since my childhood Hypnotizing people. I could see why a newbie would like some anonymity as they move forward.

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on May 21, 2010 at 9:14am

yes Mary, It is fine to do that.

There are legitimate, reasons for some people wanting to remain anonymous.

Most of us here are very comfortable with that.

When someone uses a false name, for less legitimate reasons, ie as part of a spam campaign, or some other nefarious activity, it usually becomes clear at a fairly early stage, and we are far less encouraging of that.

Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by AJ on May 21, 2010 at 9:30am

"Honesty is the best policy."

"There is nothing to fear except fear itself."

These quotes, often heard in my younger years, ring true to this day.

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Permalink Reply by Licentious Maladay on May 21, 2010 at 9:34am

To Fable and the rest of the HT community,

As one of the ones who prefers to remain anonymous (and who doesn't have a nefarious bone in his body), I would like to thank the HT community for being so accepting. Only once have I publicly been disparaged for my anonymity.

Lic

Fable Goodman said:

yes Mary, It is fine to do that.

There are legitimate, reasons for some people wanting to remain anonymous.

Most of us here are very comfortable with that.

When someone uses a false name, for less legitimate reasons, ie as part of a spam campaign, or some other nefarious activity, it usually becomes clear at a fairly early stage, and we are far less encouraging of that.

Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Jan Krüger on May 21, 2010 at 10:06am

I won't judge anyone by how anonymous they're being. If someone asks insightful questions or provides insightful responses, I value that person's participation, real name or not. If someone is being obnoxious, a real name ain't gonna make it better.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on May 21, 2010 at 12:40pm

It's fine, to remain anonymous for the above listed reasons...but eventually you will discover that revealing yourself as an experienced hypnotist is more than fine for the following reasons:

1. Clients can easily pick up on your "online" personality, insight and professionalism
2. More numbers of positive posts mean more of an online presence for you
3. Your own identity and belief in yourself becomes stronger as you interact with other professionals in this venue

Congratulations on the first paying client! You're on your way!

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on May 21, 2010 at 1:18pm

Hi "Mar"

Congrats on your first client! Remember to put the fun into your sessions...

I recommend feeling free to be yourself or not -- Personally - I think it is far wiser to put yourself out there because ultimately you are your "product"
FYI-
An easy way to protect your clients privacy and confidentiality is to pose those questions as: How would you assist a hypothetical client with the issue you wish to discuss and let it flow-

Consider me a resource-

Michael E.



Kelley Woods said:

It's fine, to remain anonymous for the above listed reasons...but eventually you will discover that revealing yourself as an experienced hypnotist is more than fine for the following reasons:

1. Clients can easily pick up on your "online" personality, insight and professionalism
2. More numbers of positive posts mean more of an online presence for you
3. Your own identity and belief in yourself becomes stronger as you interact with other professionals in this venue

Congratulations on the first paying client! You're on your way!

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Roy Hunter on May 22, 2010 at 8:29am

In 1983, when I saw my first paying client, I was glad there was a desk between me and her so that she could not see my knees shake with nervousness. The shaking got worse when she asked about my experience, and I confessed that she was my first client. However, her success was a good boost to my confidence levels.

Roy Hunter

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Permalink Reply by Antoine Pruyssers on May 22, 2010 at 8:57am

How did you come up with the notion, that when people see our not-so-expert sounding requests for advice on here, would therefore lose confidence in us as therapists?
Why would anyone think that posting requests, should lead to loss of confidence?
Don't you think, that asking questions, to other hypnotists can only make one better, at what they do?

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Permalink Reply by Mary Winstanley on May 23, 2010 at 6:19am

Dear All,

Thanks very much for your comments and advice. I do agree that increasing my online presence would be very valuable and that just getting out there and asking/answering under my name would increase my confidence. Good advice. At the moment, though, I am just thinking of how I think I would feel if, as a client, I had x as a problem and I saw a post from my therapist asking other people for suggestions on how to deal with it. Whilst I would be gratified that my therapist was smart enough and cared enough to ask for help, it would make me wonder how much experience they had. It was also a couple of comments by this particular client that gave me pause; he began by asking me how long I had 'been doing this' and made a disparaging remark about a local hypnotherapist he had been to because he was 'just a beginner'. I wanted him to trust me and feel that he wasn't wasting his time. It seems I must have done okay as he immediately booked two more sessions with me at the end of our first session so that has helped my confidence a bit.

Good tip about the 'how would you assist...?', Michael. Whilst I will certainly not be using any client names, this hypothesis-type question is even better. Thanks for your warmth, Michael, as always.

Cheers,
Mary

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